Autumn view from the Lobby Roof.

It’s already November! The resort closed October 9th and today is the final day of taking docks in so we should be ready for winter at 4:30 today. Yesterday Lisa and I were working on the long dock by cabin 45 and saw a baby, teenager and papa Muskie! Projects are happening all over the place with Gordy putting a new deck on 39A and 40A, a new roof is happening over the library in the lobby (and some other cabins), a few cabins are getting bathroom updates, and there are always new beds and linens to be purchased! We try and take into account all of the comments you leave for us each week, and make as many happen as possible.

While Fair Hills is shutting down, Wildflower has been seeing golfers come out to enjoy the amazing October weather we’ve had this year. The guys do seem anxious to get to their projects however, and they’re doing what they can while people are still playing.

Five Lakes Resort is where we’re gearing up right now. The barn rehab is in full swing as we’ve booked 3 weddings there for next fall. The cross country ski season is going to happen soon too. There hasn’t been a year that we’ve lived in Minnesota and not had snow. There will be miles of groomed track for skiing, and trails marked for snowshoeing and bird watching (for which Hebe loves to come out)! We have cabin 9 available for rent during the winter out at Five Lakes if you’d like to book a getaway, with or without kids. It’s so beautiful (AND SO QUIET!) in the winter. http://www.fivelakesresort.com/winteractivities

We are including a few fun photos that haven’t made it to the Facebook pages. One of my favorites is when we were short staffed for the last two weddings, Barb and Dave “got to” help with pots and pans. Dave had so much fun he volunteered to do it next summer! Barb is sticking to the morning walks and water aerobics! Another fun job this fall was scraping off the seaweed and zebra mussels attached to the Big Pelican. Another great job that Barb and Dave “got to” help with! The fun never ends around here.

That reminds me that we will start hiring staff for 2012 in the middle of January. If you have someone in mind that you think would work out well as a member of the Fair Hills Staff, have them check out the information/application on the website at http://www.fairhillsresort.com/employment.

Finally, Garnet wants to make sure that I tell you all to be watching your email for a letter from her about your reservation for 2012. She’ll be emailing them starting now and all will be sent before Thanksgiving so if you need to chat with family or friends about vacation plans, you’ll have the information you need. If you don’t get your info, please give a call or email her at garnet@fairhillsresort.com as we’ve had issues in the past with spam and email filters getting in the way!

Finally, heartfelt thank you to all of you who were with us this summer. We love being your summer vacation home and are so honored that you choose to trust us with making your family memories.

Fondly, Beth, Dave and Barb, Garnet, Caitlin and a whole bunch of others who make this place tick!!!

Today, though the ice went out several days ago, was my first early morning kayak on Lake Five, and it was like a float through my Birds of Minnesota Field Guide book.

It was sunny and the lake was calm, though I was out very early as there are wind warnings out for later today.

Some, but not all of todays sightings include trumpeter swans, geese, loons (within 15 feet of my kayak, content as could be), osprey, bald eagles, great blue heron, buffleheads, wood ducks, mallards, and more.

I heard but did not see the barred owl and sand hill crane.

Now is an interesting time to be here…not for fishing but for birding and wildlife viewing.  Come join me on this quiet lake, with the only noise being the calls of the loons, swans and owls.

Slip away for a few days of peace and quiet and we’ll meet early morning on  glassy Lake Five with our paddles and a steamy mug of coffee.

Lake Five Lisa

Adventures of Five Lakes Lisa

I hiked for 4.5 miles and saw two eagles, an osprey in its nest on the power line trail, countless downy woodpeckers, a pleated woodpecker and many more birds.  There are countless varieties of migrating ducks here this time of year.

While on the power line trail I spotted a large dear curled up.  It seemed to be just enjoying the warm spring sun and chose not to run when I went by.  It was fun as my trail took me only about 25 free from the deer.  It just watched me while I watched it as I walked by.

It is, right now, a great time to hike the trails as you can see much more because there is no foliage yet.  I keep an eye out for antler sheds as well.  I’ve hiked the trails here since I was 16 and this time of year I always manager to see new sights.

Of course, I am waiting for ice out and my first sunrise kayak.  It won’t be long, as the ice is getting thin and dark.

March 2011 Newsletter

March came in like a lion and it doesn’t look like it will leave like a lamb!

It is almost golfing season!

Last year Wildflower Golf Course was able to open for walkers during the last weekend in March.  We are hoping to see the same weather and maybe see some greenish grass soon!  Do you have spring fever?  It won’t be long before you can stop by and hit a round of golf.  Don’t forget to become a Wildflower fan on Facebook so you can stay updated with current golfing conditions and special deals!

The countdown has begun!

In less than 2 months, we will move out to the resort and open up for the 2011 season.  The staff is being hired, new activities are being planned, menus are being updated and many other surprises are being on.  It’s not too late to still make your reservations.  Many weeks are almost full but we still have availability throughout the summer.  If you have your reservation and are all set to come, check on your friends’ vacation plans, as they may still need a place to come this summer. If you refer a family and they book with us for at least 4 nights, you could earn $350 off your final bill! Sharing with friends was never so beneficial!

Are you on Facebook?

Here is your chance to earn a free treat at the soda fountain!  If you make the Fair Hills logo your Facebook profile picture for 1 full week (7 days) during the month of March, you will earn an ice cream float during your vacation at Fair Hills this summer.  If you are a Five Lakes fan, you can also use the Five Lakes logo as your profile picture and you will earn a Fair Hills treat delivered to your cabin at Lake Five.  If anyone asks about your profile picture, you can tell them how much you love Fair Hills and Five Lakes Resorts and refer them to our website! The rules are as follows:  To begin, go to the Fair Hills or Five Lakes Facebook page and save the logo to your computer.  Upload the logo as your profile picture.  Post a message on Fair Hills or Five Lakes’ Facebook page stating that you are participating and the day you start.  We will keep track of your participation.  You must keep it as your profile picture for 7 full days to win!  Visit the Facebook pages for more details.

Do you like to wear Fair Hills apparel?

Have you ever wanted to design your own Fair Hills T-Shirt?  Now you can!  Be as creative as you can and the winning T-shirt will be available for sale in the gift shop.  The design must be one-sided (only the front of a t-shirt) and use only 1 color in printing.  Submissions can be made to Caitlin at email@fairhillsresort.com or PO Box 6, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502.  We will accept submissions for the entire month of March.  Our office staff will then pick the top 3 designs and allow our guests to vote for the final winner in April.  Get out your pencil and paper and find your Fair Hills inspiration.

Invasive Species

Sad news from Pelican Lake, Zebra Mussels were found in the lake this past summer.  They are not native to the area and therefore have no place in the ecosystem.  There will be a special memo to follow with instructions for those of you that bring your boat to Fair Hills for your vacation.  This is also to serve as a reminder for those of you who fish at Five Lakes, to never bring anything that has been in Pelican Lake to Five Lakes, for example, minnow buckets as they can contain the Zebra Mussel in the egg or larvae stage. And for those of you who vacation at Five Lakes, please remember the rule that no outside boats, canoes and kayaks may be brought to the resort.  Lake Five is spring fed and has a fairly good chance of staying Zebra Mussel free if we all do our part!

Birding Festival

If you are an avid birder, there is an amazing festival in Detroit Lakes, and we have to pass on information about it.  More than 250 species of birds live in Becker County because the Detroit Lakes area is in the heart of a transition zone of tall grass prairie, northern hardwood and coniferous ecosystems. Serious birders flock here each spring for the annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.  More info at: http://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/things-to-do/events/festival-of-birds/

We are also mentioning this because bird watching while you’re staying at Five Lakes Resort is so easy, it’s almost like cheating!

Though we are all developing a touch of spring fever, it has been an amazing winter at Five Lakes Resort.  The trails have been maintained in pristine condition and the open house weekends at cabin 8 have been full of fun, food and friends.  Since the snow isn’t gone yet, there is still time to enjoy the wonderful winter conditions at Lake Five.  There is no excuse not to go out and enjoy winter, whether it be on skis or snowshoes, you will have a great time at Five Lakes!

We all hope you and your family are well and we can’t wait to see you this summer!

Beth and the Staff!